Nutritionist Salary Data and Job Outlook Overview

Nutritionists can earn a good paycheck with the added reward of helping others get healthy.

Median Annual Salary

A career as a nutritionist is truly rewarding and can yield a healthy paycheck once you’ve earned the appropriate degree and training. Nutritionists will continue to enjoy job security as society shifts its focus to healthier living.

According to The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) current Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median expected annual salary for nutritionists is $58,920. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.

What is my earning potential?

Your earning potential will depend on a number of factors like where you work and whether you work in a specialized area, such as research or counseling. In addition, your earning potential will increase as you gain more experience and build a larger set of clients and patients.

Although the median salary is over $55,000 a year, there is room to grow from there.

*The salary information listed is based on a national average, unless noted. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

What is the job growth for the field?

Like many other health care professions, the nutritionist employment is expected to grow faster than average. According to the BLS, jobs for dietitians and nutritionists are expected to increase 14 percent through 2026, while the national average for all occupations rests at 7 percent.

A few factors are contributing to the demand for nutritionists. In recent years, more people have become interested in health and wellness and the role of food. In addition, nutritionists have become necessary to help solve the obesity epidemic and other diseases plaguing the country’s population.

Large and small institutions like public health clinics and schools look to nutritionists to help with meal planning and cost savings. Nursing homes are also regularly employing nutritionists as the baby boomer generation ages and enter these facilities.

What kind of institutions hire nutritionists?

While many nutritionists run private practices, you’ll also find jobs in the following settings:

Hospitals

Public health clinics

Home health agencies

Food manufacturers

Cafeterias

Nursing homes

Schools

Other opportunities may include working as a consultant in any of the above settings or as a researcher. Learn more about the job of a nutritionist.